City of Fort Collins partners with Compost Queen for composting pilot program

Contact Information

• Max Poling, Compost Queen Hand of the Queen, 970-797-2042, [email protected], Website: https://compostqueenfc.com/ This link opens in a new browser tab

• Cassie Archuleta, Environmental Sustainability Manager, 970-416-2648, [email protected]

To reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and help reach its climate and zero waste goals, the City of Fort Collins launched a pilot partnership with Compost Queen.

The partnership, funded through Disposable Bag Ordinance fees, aims to make food scrap composting more accessible for Fort Collins residents and local businesses, while gathering valuable data to inform future Zero Waste strategies.

This one-year pilot partnership will expand food waste recycling access and collect data to inform and shape the City's approach to reducing the amount of food waste sent to the landfill, through offering discounted composting services.

"We are excited to be working with an experienced local company to expand composting in our community while building our understanding of the barriers that exist to greater adoption," said Jacob Castillo, City of Fort Collins chief sustainability officer. "Organic materials, including yard trimmings and food scraps, currently make up more than 40% of what goes into the landfill. We are hoping through this effort and future activities to chip away at that number."

The City of Fort Collins' zero waste goals call for diverting food scraps and other organic materials from landfills. Organic waste buried in landfill conditions generate methane, a greenhouse gas-by capturing these materials instead, the material can be transformed into valuable compost and soil amendments, closing the loop in a circular system that supports local agriculture, extends the life of the landfill and reduces harmful emissions.

Officials expect this pilot to divert up to 165 tons of food waste from the landfill over the 12-month run. Data gathered during the program will help determine operational needs for consideration of Citywide composting options.

Interested residents and business owners can sign up at compostqueenfc.com/fort-collins-pilot-program This link opens in a new browser tab.

About Compost Queen

Compost Queen is a woman owned, Fort Collins-based composting service providing accessible food waste recycling options for residents and businesses across Northern Colorado. Known for operating the only state-compliant food recycling facilities in Larimer County, Compost Queen ensures food waste is processed and returned to local soils-minimizing emissions compared to operators who transport waste out of the area.

Their services include drop-off and curbside (front door) composting services with optional shares of compost for members twice annually. Compost Queen has previously won the United States Composting Council Small Compost Manufacture of the Year award, as well as recognition from Larimer County as an Environmental Steward.

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